Introducing The Surrey Girl Project

I was born and raised in Surrey and like many others, grew up being called a ‘Surrey Girl’, knowing that it wasn’t meant as a compliment no matter how jokingly the term was thrown around. I remember being half way around the world on vacation and telling someone where I was from and they laughed, having heard the term. It didn’t hurt my feelings, it didn’t define me, but on some level I always disliked it, even though I laughed it off. I love where I’m from; this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are surrounded by so much natural beauty, with the City of Surrey in the heart of it. In a way I always took being from here for granted, but I’ve come to appreciate it so much more, and am proud to be a BC girl- a Surrey Girl, born and raised.

I love the idea of changing the image and perception of what it means to be from that area and to positively change what the term ‘Surrey Girl’ means. Enough of the outdated jokes made in poor taste; like many places Surrey isn’t perfect, but I know so many amazing people who’ve come from this place and I think it’s time to redefine what it means to be a girl from Surrey. I know the City of Surrey is working towards not only changing it’s image, but elevating it to be considered alongside Vancouver as a world- class city. The momentum has begun and I think there’s opportunity to be a part of some positive local change and help Surrey change it’s identity.

So on that note, let me introduce you to The Surrey Girl Project:

Through my blog,Our Happy Place, I am partnering with Locomotive Clothing, Surrey 604, and Ally Fotografy on what I’m calling ‘The Surrey Girl Project’, an effort to showcase the amazing, diverse, and talented girls and women who were born and/ or raised in Surrey and change what we think of when we hear the term ‘Surrey Girl’.

The Surrey Girl Project will feature 10 women in a photo series on Our Happy Place with more in- depth profiles being highlighted on the Surrey604 website. Along with the individual features, we are hoping to shoot a large group photo of women from Surrey to help launch this effort with as much enthusiasm as possible. If able, we’d like to make this an ongoing feature to help keep The Surrey Girl Project moving forward.

The women selected will be Surrey locals who are a positive reflection of what it means to be a female from Surrey: that it’s a diverse city full of dynamic and talented individuals. The partnering photographer, Ally Matos, will be shooting the women wearing a ‘Surrey’ t-shirt from Locomotive Clothing’s Community line as a statement of what a Surrey girl really is- not the distasteful term it has become.

While this project has a serious side, it will be an opportunity to have fun, maybe insert a little sense of humour, and be a creative part of Surrey’s evolution.

I am so excited that The Surrey Girl Project is not only taking shape, but that it has so far been received with enthusiasm and anticipation from the project partners and women expressing interest to be featured. There is an opportunity to create some positive change and I can’t wait to see where this project goes.

My hope is that this project will change what people think of when they hear ‘Surrey Girl’ and make it a positive thing, rather than a negative. I don’t expect it to change things overnight, but it’s a start, and why not have fun while doing it?

Want to be involved or help spread the word?

Follow The Surrey Girl Project on Instagram @thesurreygirlproject and tag photos with #thesurreygirlproject.

You can also join The Surrey Girl Project group on Facebook to stay updated on the project launch and how we’re changing what it means to be a #SurreyGirl.

About The Author

Katherine Petrunia is the blogger behind Our Happy Place, a lifestyle blog that shares on topics such as recipes, fashion, and DIY alongside candid articles about real life. Born and raised in Surrey, she has been blogging for almost 4 years, and now resides in Delta with her husband and 2 young kids.

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